Perry Seely Ministries

Just wanted to give my take on the book,
“ORGANIZED RELIGION” by Bob Smietana.
I read it in 2 days, 236 pages and it was very informative.

Submitted “THE RESHAPING OF THE AMERICAN CHURCH AND WHY IT MATTERS.
Bob is a veteran religion writer of twenty years and brings out the state of American Christianity.

He brings out the toll of divisions over race,
politics, covid, in America has had on organized religion. Bob brings out the trend in the last 20 years is rapid decline in church congratulations.

This book goes over in detail the reasons for that and points the only way forward. GREAT CHANGE IS NEEDED AND THINGS CANNOT BE BUSINESS AS USUAL. White congratulations need to diversify racially or run the risk of dying.

Mega churches are not necessarily bringing in the lost but drawing of members of small congregations. Like Walmart does to small business.

Bob points out the danger of top down leadership and the popular trend of operating the church like a business. He goes over the self inflicted wounds of myriads of huge personalities falling into public shame.

The good that the church does makes it
(and he has many inspirational accounts)
worth saving. Relationships formed and community as well as help given in times of disaster.

I evan found myself described as one who left organized religion and I quote from page 134…..”has led people to seek out what she called a “purified” verson of spirituallity that would steer clear of some the issues raised by politicized religion “.

This book has the ring of unbiased truth of a hard path forward. With God all things are possible. I recommend this book to any and all readers who want the hard facts.

WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT IS SOMTHING BETWEEN YOU AND GOD THAT CAN NOT BE BROKEN. You did not choose God, but he chose you. He chose you to know him and he you in an special bond.

THE WORLD, OR RELIGIOUS MEN OR ANY HUMAN INSTITUTION DID NOT GIVE THIS TO YOU. God called you to know his Son Jesus Christ. He called you to himself through his only begotten Son

Many people lost their lives during the covid epidemic (over a million). A lot of people lost their faith also. When church service had to stop because of the pandemic many people’s habit of going to church had to stop.

They had time on their hands to decide what they were going to do. Serving the Lord by going to church was taken from them. Many did not have a real relationship with God without church service.

Many ministries also teach their members to depend on church services to keep them saved. I mean if you miss a service they ask you why.

Simply put, loads of people were not prepared to face that plague and it’s effect and disruption on their religious routine. There was an overemphasized dependence taught them that caused this inability to cope and overcome.

YOU CAN READ YOUR BIBLE AND WORSHIP GOD IN YOUR OWN HOME. You can express your love for God and seek him anywhere, anytime. You can help people without someone telling you to……can’t you? The danger of dependence upon others for your salvation and maintenance of it is men’s limitations.

You have a directive…..”TO WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING ” ! ! !

Romans 8:38,39
NKJV

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Just read the book in 2 days (177 pages) and it was very encouraging, honest, with a clear message. David never seems to preach down to you, but shows his weakness to you then lifts you up.

The subtitle of the book is “LEAVING BEHIND THE AMERICAN GOSPEL TO FOLLOW JESUS FULLY”. He was preaching to the choir with me as I am in 100% agreement with his message.

Like a lot uf us are feeling, David hits it out of the park with the question….Is the American gospel and the gospel of Jesus Christ compatible? I really loved his directive to fellowship and befriend people of all nations and races.

I loved this book and recommend this book for everyone to read. You will be convicted and encouraged at the same time. This is the start of a better future for the American Church.

I would like to help you find your place of empowerment in the body of Christ. It is not good to be narcissistic and self indulged but it is extremely important to beself aware.

Do you know what makes you tick? Do you understand why you feel about things the way you do. Do you discern what comes from your heart and what you have learned from the crowd?

Have you pondered your upbringing in your family and the way it shapes your views? Your community shapes the way you think, did you take that into account?

What situations in life bring out the best in you? The worst? What kind of people motivate you? What kind repell you?

What do you really love in this life? What do you hate? Who do you consider overlooked and devalued….and who do see as getting more attention than should be?

What cause or undertaking do you feel you can help with? What is stopping you from moving forward to bring help? Finances?
People, as in a lack of support? Fear of failure or persecution? Don’t think you can make a difference?

Once you find out what God has for you to do things will open up for you. They open when you take your first step forward and commit in your heart to prevail in your endeavor. It is rarely ready for you to see at the start.

“FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, AND NOT BY SIGHT”.

Just got back from my 2 year check up since my battle with cancer. Docter said don’t worry about it comming back….because it is not going to.

God has completely healed me and given me a second chance in life. Very thankful for Jesus Christ “by his stripes I was healed”.

There is power to heal and deliver you from any sickness or addiction. Just wanted to thank him publicly for his wonderful kindness he has shown to me.

Yes this message is just for any and all who have not asked Jesus Christ into your heart to be forgiven and saved. I know you have values for what is important in your life.

You have hopes and dreams for your future and those you care about. God has been communicating to you even though you may not know it. Through your conscience and the moral compass you have. These were both given to you from God.

Jesus is the light that is trying to break through into your life. He wants to make things clear to you about what God wants to do in your life. About what God can do in your life.

You know in your heart that things are not right in this world. You know things are not right in your life. You want them to be right, but they are not. You feel like you are destined to a life of futility and hypocrisy. You don’t live up to the standards you have for your life….what you put on to other people.

Time to quit playing the game of life, without knowing the one who created you. Time to go forward on something you can trust. Time to find out what life is really about .

He will fill the emptiness you have in your heart that causes you to self medicate. He will make you a whole person of strength and substance. The person you want to become. No more wasting your life on putting up a front trying to impress people
and lying to yourself.

It is not easy to live the life that Jesus Christ has for you. You already know that life is not easy, don’t you? You can know this….with Jesus on your side you will make it . You have failed enough in your life….right? Now it is time to start succeeding!

If you ask Jesus Christ into your heart a new beginning starts for you. He will always be with you to help you in life. Now life will have meaning and purpose. When the storms come your house will stand. His grace and love will open up for you.

Does that sound like something you want?
Are you ready for a new start in life? A second chance? Are you ready for someone you can trust and depend upon? Just say…..
“COME INTO MY HEART JESUS AND FILL ME WITH YOURSELF. SHOW ME YOUR FORGIVENESS AND HELP ME TO DO RIGHT. I NEED YOU AND WANT YOU NOW AND FOREVER”.

Proverbs 3:5,6
NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding;

In all your ways ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.

Psalms 32:8
NKJV

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye.

*** JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. ***

*** HOLY SPIRIT WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH FOR YOUR LIFE. ***

*** LEARN TO TRAIN YOUR HEART TO SEEK GOD’S WILL AND DIRECTION FOR YOUR LIFE. ***

*** YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. ***

*** A MAN’S HEART DEVISES HIS WAY, BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS. ***

*** THOSE WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE THE SONS OF GOD. ***

*** MAKE IT YOUR AIM TO BE LED BY HOLY SPIRIT ON THE RIGHT PATH FOR YOU. ***

Ephesians 4:21-25
Amplifed….

If in fact you have (really) heard him and have been taught by him, just as truth is in Jesus (revealed in his life and personified in him),

that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self (completely disregard your former nature), which is being corrupted through deceitful desires,

and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fesh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude),

and put on the new self (the regenerated and renewed nature ), created in God’s image, (godlike) in the righteousness and holiness of the truth (living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation).

Therefore, rejecting all falsehood (whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these),

SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are all parts one of another (and we are all parts of the body of (Christ).

*** WHEN YOU COME TO JESUS, YOU ARE BORN FROM ABOVE, BECOME A
CREATION. ***

*** YOUR OLD WAY OF DOING THINGS WILL NOT WORK FOR YOU ANY MORE. ***

*** THERE IS A CONTINUAL PROCESS OF RENEWING IN YOUR MIND….YOUR THINKING BECOMES UNTARNISHED. ***

*** YOU HAVE A FRESH, NEW OUTLOOK ON
LIFE, GOD, YOURSELF. ***

*** YOU LIVE OUT YOUR “NEW” SELF….WHO YOU ARE BECOMING “IN CHRIST”. ***

*** YOU LIVE OUT YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS THAT JESUS ENABLES YOU TO EXPRESS IN YOUR LIFE. ***

*** WE ARE TO REJECT FALSEHOOD. ***

*** NO LYING AND DEFRAUDING. ***

*** NO SPREADING RUMORS. ***

*** WE SPEAK TRUTH WITH OUR NEIGHBOR. ***

Ephesians 4:3-5
NKJV

Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace (each individual working together to make the whole successful).

There is one body (of believers) and one Spirit—–just as you were called one hope when called (to salvation)—–

one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of us all who is (sovereign) over all and (working) through all and (living) in all.

*** EVERYONE THAT SEPARATES AND DIVIDES FROM THE SPIRIT, GOD, AND CHRIST AND HIS BODY OF BELIEVERS, IS WORKING AGAINST THE PURPOSE OF
GOD. ***

*** THE ONLY WAY I PERSONALLY HAVE FOUND TO DO THIS IS TO IDENTIFY WITH GOD’S SON AND BE LED BY THE
SPIRIT. ***

*** I STAY AWAY FROM ALL THE MAN MADE DIVISIONS AND SIMPLY WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH (BIBLE AND HOLY SPIRIT). ***

*** BE ENCOURAGED AS YOU FIND YOUR WAY “IN CHRIST”. ***

I am writting this as I am watching the Jesus Revolution on TV. Makes me remember what Holy Spirit told me last year about California.

In the middle of a 5 or 6 year drought and a horrable plague of covid. He said he was going to pour out his Spirit and mercy on California’s People.

Like the abundance of rain and snow we got this year his Spirit is going to bringing salvation to millions. It is because he wants to show mercy and bring in his lost sheep.

One of the main characters in the movie Greg Laurie is the same Greg Laurie that led over 7,000 people to Christ a couple of months ago at Dodgers Stadium.

The outpouring at Azusa st and the Jesus movrment are the two greatest moves of God America has experienced. Keep your eye on what God does in California.

Pray for people to come to Jesus and be free in Christ to live the life they were ment to live.